First Boeing 747 rolled out 47 years ago

By By AUBREY COHEN

Boeing rolled the first 747 out of its Everett wide-body aircraft plant nearly 50 years ago, on Sept. 30, 1968, ushering in the jumbo-jet era.

Click on for more photos of the first 747, and other 747s through the decades. less

Boeing rolled the first 747 out of its Everett wide-body aircraft plant nearly 50 years ago, on Sept. 30, 1968, ushering in the jumbo-jet era.

Click on for more photos of the first 747, and other 747s through ... more

Photo: -, AFP/Getty Images

Boeing rolled the first 747 out of its Everett wide-body aircraft... Photo-2626775.70976 - seattlepi.com

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The wing of the first Boeing 747 is shown with onlookers underneath at the Boeing Everett plant on Sept. 30, 1968.

The wing of the first Boeing 747 is shown with onlookers underneath at the Boeing Everett plant on Sept. 30, 1968.

Photo: Museum Of History And Industry

The wing of the first Boeing 747 is shown with onlookers underneath... Photo-736850.70976 - seattlepi.com

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The first Boeing 747 first flew on Feb. 9, 1969. Seattle Post-Intelligencer photographer Phil Webber said editors at the time believed the plane was too big to fly, and insisted at a photographer be on hand for each of the first few test flights. The 747-100 was 231 feet, 4 inches long, with a 195-foot, 8-inch wingspan, and could carry 366 to 452 passengers up to 6,100 miles, cruising at 35,000 feet and 555 miles per hour. less

The first Boeing 747 first flew on Feb. 9, 1969. Seattle Post-Intelligencer photographer Phil Webber said editors at the time believed the plane was too big to fly, and insisted at a photographer be on hand for ... more

Pan Am was the first customer to get a Boeing 747, taking delivery on Dec. 12, 1969.

Pan Am was the first customer to get a Boeing 747, taking delivery on Dec. 12, 1969.

Photo: Keystone, Getty Images

Pan Am was the first customer to get a Boeing 747, taking delivery... Photo-2252461.70976 - seattlepi.com

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The first commercial Boeing 747 flight was a Pan Am trip from New York to London on Jan. 21, 1970. Here, the aircrew of the first commercial flight poses in front of the plane.

The first commercial Boeing 747 flight was a Pan Am trip from New York to London on Jan. 21, 1970. Here, the aircrew of the first commercial flight poses in front of the plane.

Photo: -, AFP/Getty Images

The first commercial Boeing 747 flight was a Pan Am trip from New... Photo-1001583.70976 - seattlepi.com

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TWA was next to get a 747, taking delivery of its first jumbo jet on Dec. 31, 1969. Here, the "Star of Paris" is seen just after landing at Paris Orly airport, on April 13, 1970, after its first New-York-Paris commercial flight. less

TWA was next to get a 747, taking delivery of its first jumbo jet on Dec. 31, 1969. Here, the "Star of Paris" is seen just after landing at Paris Orly airport, on April 13, 1970, after its first New-York-Paris ... more

Photo: -, AFP/Getty Images

TWA was next to get a 747, taking delivery of its first jumbo jet... Photo-3040306.70976 - seattlepi.com

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A TWA Boeing 747 made the first international flight landing at the new Paris Roissy Charles de Gaulle Airport, on March 13, 1974.

A TWA Boeing 747 made the first international flight landing at the new Paris Roissy Charles de Gaulle Airport, on March 13, 1974.

Photo: STAFF, AFP/Getty Images

A TWA Boeing 747 made the first international flight landing at the... Photo-2252497.70976 - seattlepi.com

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British Overseas Airways Corp. flight attendants tend to rows of passengers in a 747. BOAC got its first 747 on April 22, 1970. It merged with British European Airways to form British Airways in 1974.

British Overseas Airways Corp. flight attendants tend to rows of passengers in a 747. BOAC got its first 747 on April 22, 1970. It merged with British European Airways to form British Airways in 1974.

Among the 747's most-notable passengers were the space shuttle... Photo-933605.70976 - seattlepi.com

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Boeing followed up on the 747-100 with the 747-200, which extended the range of 7,900 miles; the -300, which can carry 412 to 496 passengers, thanks to an extended upper deck, with a range of 7,700 miles; the -400, which can carry 416 to 524 passengers up to 7,260 miles (there's also a freighter version); the -400ER, with a range of 7,670 miles; and the 747-8 (more on that in a minute). Here, an early 747 and a 747-400 fly over Seattle. less

Boeing followed up on the 747-100 with the 747-200, which extended the range of 7,900 miles; the -300, which can carry 412 to 496 passengers, thanks to an extended upper deck, with a range of 7,700 miles; the ... more

Photo: Phil H. Webber, Seattle Post-Intelligencer

Boeing followed up on the 747-100 with the 747-200, which extended... Photo-650669.70976 - seattlepi.com

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Malcolm Stamper, left, who was the first leader of the 747 program and later Boeing's president, and 747 Chief Engineer Joe Sutter show off the first Boeing 747 on Sept. 30, 1988.

Malcolm Stamper, left, who was the first leader of the 747 program and later Boeing's president, and 747 Chief Engineer Joe Sutter show off the first Boeing 747 on Sept. 30, 1988.

Photo: PHIL H. WEBBER

Malcolm Stamper, left, who was the first leader of the 747 program... Photo-5245549.70976 - seattlepi.com

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Perhaps the most famous 747s are the two 747-200Bs modified to serve as "Air Force One," carrying the president of the United States. They were delivered in 1990, replacing specialized Boeing 707s.

Perhaps the most famous 747s are the two 747-200Bs modified to serve as "Air Force One," carrying the president of the United States. They were delivered in 1990, replacing specialized Boeing 707s.

Photo: Mark Wilson, Getty Images

Perhaps the most famous 747s are the two 747-200Bs modified to... Photo-2524353.70976 - seattlepi.com

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Brien Wygle was co-pilot on the first 747 flight in 1969. Here, he poses in front of the aircraft at the Museum of Flight, in Seattle, on Feb. 4, 2004.

Brien Wygle was co-pilot on the first 747 flight in 1969. Here, he poses in front of the aircraft at the Museum of Flight, in Seattle, on Feb. 4, 2004.

Photo: PHIL H. WEBBER

Brien Wygle was co-pilot on the first 747 flight in 1969. Here, he... Photo-5245550.70976 - seattlepi.com

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The U.S. Postal service unveiled a Boeing 747 postage stamp in 1999. Boeing affixed a 70-foot image of the stamp on a door of its Everett wide-body plant.

The U.S. Postal service unveiled a Boeing 747 postage stamp in 1999. Boeing affixed a 70-foot image of the stamp on a door of its Everett wide-body plant.

Boeing unveiled its latest 747, the 747-8 Intercontinental, on Feb. 12, 2011. The Intercontinental is 250 feet, 2 inches long with a 224-foot, 7-inch wingspan, and can carry 467 passengers (in a typical three-class configuration) 8,000 nautical miles. less

Boeing unveiled its latest 747, the 747-8 Intercontinental, on Feb. 12, 2011. The Intercontinental is 250 feet, 2 inches long with a 224-foot, 7-inch wingspan, and can carry 467 passengers (in a typical ... more